Part 1 - Sherry

Sherry was sitting at her desk reviewing the latest mission reports when her intercom buzzed.

"Yes, Birkoff?" she answered.

"Sherry, Operations wants to see you in his office immediately."

Sherry sighed. "Okay. Tell him I'm on my way." Sherry closed and secured the classified file she had been reading. As she moved into the hallway she stuck her head in Rita's office.

"Hey girl. If I'm not back in 30 minutes, send Michael. Operations wants a meeting."

Rita laughed. "Well, aren't you the lucky one?"

Sherry rolled her eyes and headed for the Observation Deck. She stood in the doorway awaiting his permission to enter. She may not always act like it, but she did know Section protocol.

"Come in, Sherry," he ordered.

Sherry walked in and stood in front of him. Having been one of Michael's trainees, not to mention watching him over the years, she picked up and began to master of some his tactics. Not that she, or anyone for that matter, would ever be as good as he was, but she could hold her own against Operations. She simply stood there in silence waiting for him to speak. She knew it unnerved the man.

Eventually realizing he wouldn't get her to speak first, Operations spoke. "I have a job for you."

Oh no, Sherry thought. I hate when he starts a conversation like that. It usually has to do with North. She nodded at him, and remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

"I want you to find Northstar." He turned and looked out over Section.

Sherry sighed. "Sir, I have work to do. I can't spend my life looking for North. She's a big girl. If she were in trouble, she would find a way to let us know."

Operations whirled on her. "ENOUGH! I said I want you to find her. I don't care what you think you have to do. I don't care if she is able to take care of herself. I've had enough of your back talk to last a lifetime. You will follow orders just like everyone else around here or I will have you cancelled. Michael won't always be around, you know."

Sherry smirked. "I don't need Michael. And you know it. You know there are others who are watching. If you cancel me, you will be next."

Operations' was so angry he felt like his head was going to burst. "I said ENOUGH! You will do as you are told. I want you and Rita to find Northstar and I want it done now!"

Sherry sighed. "Sir, we are not here to facilitate your love life."

That did it. He walked up to her and pulled back his hand as if to strike her. His arm was on its way when another arm appeared out of nowhere and stopped him.

"That would not be a wise decision," the softly accented voice warned.

Operations glared at Michael. "This is none of your concern, Michael. Go back to your office."

Michael turned to Sherry. They communicated only through their eyes. He was asking if she was okay. She simply nodded.

Operations was angry but also jealous. He couldn't understand the connection these two had. He wanted it, but had never managed to get there with anyone.

"I have the Intel you requested," Michael simply answered.

Operations turned to Sherry. "I want you on this right away. You and Rita. If she is not found by the end of the day, I will know the reason why."

Sherry nodded, turned to Michael and mouthed "Thank you" and headed back to Rita's office.

Rita looked up when she approached. "So, I see you're still standing," she joked.

"Don't get too cocky," Sherry smirked. "We have a job to do."

Rita sat back in the chair. "What does he want now?"

Sherry snorted. "Same as always. North's taken off again and we have to find her by the end of the day or we're in for it. He demands to know who she is meeting," Sherry imitated him. Rita laughed so hard the tears ran out of her eyes.

Sherry and Rita discussed the problem for a few minutes and came up with a plan. They each made a few phone calls and then waited in Sherry's office. Ten minutes later Curlly walked in.

"Hey guys. What did you want ..." she was asking as she walked in the door. When she saw who was sitting there, she stopped and did a double take. There saw Sean, Kyle, Alexi, David, Kamir, and Antonio. The guys they had chosen for Genie and DeLeah ... the ones that had ended up in Medlab. She hoped this wasn't some kind of payback.

"Sit down, Curlly," Sherry began. Once Curlly was seated, she continued. "You have a job. Curlly, you are team leader. The guys here are your team. You are to locate and follow Northstar. If she doesn't come back on her own by early evening, you will bring her back using whatever means are necessary."

Curlly couldn't believe what she was hearing. "But ... this is North we're talking about. You don't really mean this, right? You're just doing this as a ploy."

Sherry shook her head, but Rita spoke up. "No, Curlly. We mean it. If she's not back here by the end of the day, Sherry and I are in big trouble. So, it's up to you."

Curlly nodded and Rita and Sherry laid out a very basic plan for them. It was up to Curlly to fill in the blanks and alter the plan as needed. It wasn't long before the team left for van access.

Part 2 - Rita

With Sherry, Curlly and the boys gone, Rita sat at her desk finishing up a report that had to be on North's desk before she got back. She did not realize how much paperwork went into being a mommy. She typed some more and then looked at he pad where she was retrieving data from. Finally she was done she walked over to the to the double doors that led outside and opened them let a breeze float in.

There was a knock at the door. She walked over to see on her security screen that could be visiting. Hoping it was Michael and then she saw whom it was impatiently pacing outside her door. Operations who was actually smoking in the hallway. Rita decided that escaping this meeting was better. She grabbed her bag and went out the double doors and closed them behind her.

Then she moved quickly to Sherry's windows. Knocking on the windowpane lightly to get her attention. Sherry say her friend and a look of surprise took over her face. She moved to open the window. "What are you doing out there instead of using the door like a normal human being?"

"Well Operations is smoking like a chimney outside my office pacing and I assume he will be visiting you next. So I suggest you make like an operative and get your butt down here."

Sherry saw there was no time to lose there was no need to listen to Operations yell at her again. She climbed out of her window quickly just as a knock was heard on her door. That turned into frantic pounding. "I know you ladies are not following orders." Was bellowed from behind the wood.

Rita and Sherry moved quickly to the Gazebo. "We can't hide from him forever you know?" Sherry said.

"Yeah well till I have something to report I am not talking to the old man." Rita said. "We have to find North. I am not spending another day playing hide and go Ops." Rita's cell phone rang. She answered it quickly. "Yes."

"Hey Rita." It was Curlly. "We found North. She is up at this restaurant sitting alone at a table."

"Who is on the inside watching her?"

"David and Alexi."

"Glory am I enjoying this assignment or what!" Curlly said as she laughed.

Meanwhile out of the corner of her eye Sherry saw Sinjn approaching. "Rita..."She tried getting her attention but Rita was too focused on what Curlly was saying.

"Yeah I know a troupe of gorgeous men at your disposal. A woman's dream come true. Call me when the mystery man shows up Curlly." Rita said as she laughed at Curlly's response and hung up. When she saw Sinjn standing there her eyes became wide as saucers.

Sinjn had heard the last part of the conversation. "So ladies where have you sent my girl?"

There was not time to answer that question for a higher authority demanded their attention. "Rita! Sherry! There you are. Where is North?"

Rita and Sherry both looked up for patience and inspiration.